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Math concepts

Hi! Is there an exhaustive lost of all the possible math concepts one would need to know for case interviews? 

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Vlad
Coach
on Jun 02, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Here is a set of things you need to know:

1) Math and formulas:

  • Interest rates calculations
  • Compound margin
  • NPV using the Rule of 72, Perpetuity
  • CAGR using the Rule of 72
  • Currencies exchange calculations
  • Speed, time, distance calculations
  • Equations, systems of equations
  • Integral (calculating the area of geometric figures to solve case problems)
  • Ratio & Proportions
  • Little's Law
  • Profit / breakeven formula
  • Correlations, outliers (being able to spot on the graphs, tables)

2) Fast math skills

  • Rounding up and down
  • Learn how to multiply double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo)
  • Learn the division table up to 1/11 (i.e. 5/6 = 83.3)
  • Learn how to work with zeros using powers (e.g.: 4000000 = 4*10ˆ6)

Use math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

3) Working with tables and graphs and deriving conclusions

  • Study "Say it with Charts" book
  • Check all available MBB presentations and publications. Practice to derive conclusions and check yourself with the actual ones from the article / presentation
  • GMAT IR part (Official guide and Manhattan prep)
  • Learn basic statistics (Any GMAT or MBA prep guides)

Good luck!

Ian
Coach
edited on Jun 02, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
  1. 100% Recommend Rocket Blocks. It's exactly what you're looking for https://www.rocketblocks.me/
  2. In addition to that, you can ask other PrepLoungers to case you on chart/math-heavy cases. You can also search for those case types here and work through them yourself.

Some key formulas/concepts:

  • Breakeven
  • NPV (with + without growth, perpituity + 1-2 years from now)
  • % Change
  • ROI
  • Margin
  • Markup
  • Inventory turnover
Emily
Coach
on Jun 02, 2020
9 years in MBB Southeast Asia & China| 8 years as MBB interviewer | Free intro call

Hi,

There has been quite some similar questions asked before on PrepLounge. You can refer to the following. 

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/bcg-finance-formulas-1438

Best,

Emily

Clara
Coach
on Jun 02, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello, plz PM me!

Deleted user
on Jul 17, 2020

Dear A,

Here is some financial formula you need you know:

• Revenue

• Fixed and variable costs

• Profits

• Return on investment

• Payback period

Best,

André

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